Children should serve their own meals to prevent obesity

By Kimberly Gillan| 5 years ago

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Most adults recall being forced to stay at the table until they'd finished the meal their parents had dished up, but now experts say children should be allowed to serve themselves at dinner to learn not to overeat.

Researchers at the University of Illinois studied children aged between two and five at 118 childcare centres in the US and found that centres who allowed children to self-serve had fewer obese children.

They recommend families adopt the same approach, putting dinner in the middle of the table so children can select appropriate portions for their hunger levels.

Lead author Dr Brent McBride from the University of Illinois said it helps children learn to recognise when they are full and stop eating.